Review – “Sin City”
“Sin City”
–Robin’s Rambles by Robin Vogel
Love this episode! Dean and a beautiful, vicious demon get trapped together in a basement cave-in and get philosophical, talking like regular folk. They are perfect for each other, snarky and sexy, and I remember after the episode aired, all I wanted was a screen cap of their one kiss.
In Elizabethville, Ohio, a once good man commits suicide by shooting himself under the chin in a church as the priest and nun stare up at him, horrified. He claims God no longer cares about them.
Sam and Dean are hanging out at Bobby’s, working on trying to get the Colt back in action. News of what happened in Elizabethville reaches their ears and the brothers decide to go there; maybe it’s dee-monic omens! Posing as insurance men, the brothers question Father Gil about the man who committed suicide. He was a church-going man, but gambled away his money, cheated on his wife, lost his business. It was like he was. . .possessed? Sam and Dean leave the church, discussing how this town seemingly turned into Margaritaville at the same time the Devil’s Gate opened.
Their motel room has a mirrored ceiling, which makes Dean grin, and a vibrating bed! He runs into Ritchie, a fellow hunter, who is across the wall with a woman he claims is his sister, then his step-sister, but is really a hooker who stuffs the wad of cash Ritchie gives her into her cleavage. Ritchie and Dean argue over who ganked the big-racked succubus when they worked a case together, and Dean reminds Ritchie he isn’t cut out for this job and is going to get himself killed someday. Ritchie explains that he can’t prove that there are demons in this town, but Trotter, who brought in hookers and gambling and just about owns the town, went from nice guy to bastard.
Down at the bar, they find Potter, but can’t get near him, Father Gil, who is getting free drinks from Casey, a shapely bartender, and comes here because this is where his flock goes, and Ritchie, who is dressed in a silk shirt and has a little “somepin” going on with Casey later. Dean catches Casey’s eye and asks what her specialty is. “I make a mean hurricane,” she says, and goes off to make one for him after staring into his eyes. A man enters the bar, shoots another man to death, and is about to off himself, but Dean jumps on him before he can. “He was sleeping with my wife!” weeps the killer. Sam throws holy water on the guy—nothing. Sam catches Trotter’s eye and they exchange a long stare. The sheriff comes over and tells the guys to get ready for their mug shot—a hero photo in the local paper. Sam and Dean wisely leave, but not before the latter realizes Ritchie is gone.
Casey leads Ritchie down into her dank basement. He wonders if she wouldn’t be more comfortable in his hotel room; he’s got oils. “But I’ve got toys,” she counters. That trumps oils, he admits. He wonders if she doesn’t get afraid here, but she assures him not when she’s got a hunter to protect her. Casey’s eyes turn black, Ritchie grabs for his knife, Casey twists his head around in a way it wasn’t meant to go, killing him. (A sad way for a great character to be disposed of, I loved Ritchie, found him gross, hilarious and pitiful, and another marvelous one-shot. Fageddaboutit, Ritchie!)
Bobby received a visit from Ruby, who shows she’s a demon. When she challenges him to shoot her, calling him a pantywaist when he hesitates, Bobby tests the Colt on her by shooting her in the heart. “Ouch!” she says, but proves it doesn’t work because she’s still alive. I love when she calls it a “cute piece,” because I have a dirty mind. He owes her a new shirt, but she tells him she can help him get that thing working again.
Sam goes to Trotter’s office to look around and figure out if the big man is a demon. He’s caught there, has a gun thrust into his face, but he gets the gun and turns the tables on Trotter and his bodyguard. He tosses holy water on both men, making them think he’s crazy, but neither reacts as a demon would, and Sam leaves, embarrassed, emptying the gun and returning it. A classic funny performance from Jared here, his mortification is palpable.
At the bar, Dean is accosted by a pointy-nosed hooker who, impressed by his bravery, is willing to charge him only half her usual $400 fee. Insulted, Dean refuses. Calling him a cheapskate, the hooker leaves. Casey asks if he got turned down by a hooker, but he says he only has eyes for the bartender. He wants to leave after her shift is over, she says, “Why wait?” and they head off right away. Once in her basement, Casey is searching for Ritchie’s body, but it’s gone. She slips her jacket off her shoulders and gives Dean a beautiful, sexy kiss. “Oh, I forgot to mention,” says Dean, “Richie was a friend of mine, when I realized I could track the GPS in his cell phone, I swung by earlier, gave him a proper burial–it’s better than rotting in some skank’s basement.” She leaps at him, but she’s standing on a Devil’s Trap.
Dean tries to exorcise Casey, but she starts the chandelier spinning and a huge wind blowing. Pages from the bible blow out of the book binding and away. The basement floor opens up; walls crack and huge rocks rain down, trapping them inside. She smiles at him. “You laughing bitch!” he says–“You’re still trapped. “So are you–bitch,” she retorts. Dean tries the exorcism from memory—no luck. He tells her he isn’t flying solo. She know about Sam, he’s the brains of their operation. This surprises Dean. Turns out they both have potential rescue on the way. Casey suggests they see who arrives first—the Calvary or the Indians.
At the bar, the same hooker who tried to sell to Dean offers the nervous Sam a sure way to relax. Maybe later, he says. He has to heavily grease the bartender’s palm in order to get Casey’s address out of him, and is accused of wanting to “get your peep on.”
Dean tries to get cell phone reception by rolling a barrel close to a window. Casey suggests he relax. “Kiss my ass,” he says. “You’re a poet,” she teases, “I had no idea.” She suggests they be civil. Killing Richie the way she did wasn’t civil, points out Dean. He pulled a knife on me, she says. That wouldn’t have hurt you, he reminds her. I didn’t want Casey’s fine body to be ripped, she says. A demon with a heart, says Dean–there’s a bunch of dead people in town who might disagree with you. I didn’t pull any triggers, she says. You did somethin’, he insists. All I did was have lunch with Trotter, where I pointed out the money that could be made with a few businesses that cater to harmless vice–so Trotter built it, and man, did they come! Supposedly God-fearing folk, waist-deep in booze, sex, gambling–I barely lifted a finger–all you gotta do is nudge humans in the right direction, some whiskey here, a hooker there, and they’ll walk right into hell with big, fat smiles on their faces– your kind is corrupt, Dean, weak, our will is stronger, that’s why we’ll win. “And that’s how it ends,” smirks Dean. “No,” she says, “that’s how it begins.”
They talk, “like regular folk,” as Casey puts it, about God, who Dean wants to believe in, to Casey’s surprise, and Lucifer, the god SHE believes in. Humans aren’t such a lovable bunch, she says—“I don’t see how you and your God have done such a bang-up job–war, genocide, it’s only getting worse, this past century, you people have racked up a body count that amazed even US–it’s our turn now, and we’re gonna do it right this time.” Even though she hasn’t ever seen Lucifer, she has faith that he’s coming back. She mentions Dick Cheney, who has a parking spot reserved downstairs. (This led to some controversy amongst fans who felt it wasn’t right to say such things about our Vice Prez. I LMAO, because I am not a Cheney fan.) Dean asks her about hell. Oh, yeah, his one way ticket there thanks to his deal, she says, warning him he isn’t going to like it there, and because of what he’s done, he isn’t going to get the presidential suite—it’s a pit of despair, why do you think we want to come up here? Dean tries to hide his feelings, but his eyes betray the truth.
Sam has a fight with the bartender after telling him Casey and Dean weren’t at her place. The guy pours Dean a drink and urges him to relax. Angry, Sam tells him he doesn’t want to relax. Miffed, the bartender downs the shot he poured for Sam. “Suit yourself, Princess,” he says. Sam spots Father Gil sitting at the bar and asks to talk to him. The priest tells Sam he’s known Casey since she was in pigtails. Sam uncomfortably explains that Dean and Casey went off “together.” Father Gil says they are consenting adults, even though he doesn’t approve of such behavior—but aren’t Dean and Sam insurance adjustors? It’s a family business covers Sam smoothly. The priest knows where Casey might go and offers to go with him. Sam assures him he can take care of this himself, but Father Gil won’t hear of it—if Casey’s in trouble, he’s in. He turns his back to Sam and slips into his jacket; his eyes go demon black. (I screamed the first time I saw this, because I didn’t think any priest would be able to hang out in a church or put on a priest’s clothing. I guess it’s true that a whole new kind of demon escaped hell.)
At this moment, it hit me—the Calvary and Indians are arriving simultaneously—now what?
Casey calls Dean likable, but Dean doesn’t know how to respond to a demon saying that about him. She admires him for the deal he made for Sam. He says it’s liberating to not have a future. “You aren’t scared?” she asks. “Of course not,” says Dean, his eyes doing the lying for him.
Driving over in Father Gil’s station wagon, the latter asks if he likes the insurance biz.
“I like helping people,” Sam replies. The priest sees Sam at the head of the pack, and wonders if Dean causes a lot of trouble. “His fair share,” admits Sam. “Good thing he has you, his brother’s keeper,” remarks Father Gil. (Want to head to a demon army, little boy king?)
“I like helping people,” Sam replies. The priest sees Sam at the head of the pack, and wonders if Dean causes a lot of trouble. “His fair share,” admits Sam. “Good thing he has you, his brother’s keeper,” remarks Father Gil. (Want to head to a demon army, little boy king?)
Casey lies down on the carpet, her breasts almost falling from her snug red blouse. She spots lust in Dean’s eyes and thinks it might be a good way to spend the time—except he wouldn’t respect her in the morning. “That’s OK, I barely respect you now!” he quips. She tells him after he killed Azazel (yes, he had a name, his friends didn’t call him Yellow Eyes), everything fell apart. SAM was supposed to lead them, but he didn’t exactly step up to the plate—and for the record, Casey was ready to follow Sam. Thank God he didn’t, says Dean, still stunned that this was the plan. Again with God, complains Casey—now they have a war without a front, with demons jockeying for position—and utter chaos. They hear Sam’s voice calling, but learn he came with the Father. Dean tells him the basement caved in. The hope on Casey’s face makes Dean realize he is her “Indian,” and he warns Sam to be careful.
Sam turns and finds himself face to face with Father Gil. A bullet takes the head off a statue very near the priest, who turns and launches Bobby, Colt in hand, high up in the air, and then down with a heavy thud. Before Sam can douse him in holy water, Father Gil sends him flying against his car’s windshield, then walks purposefully into the house. Sam slides painfully off the car and checks to make sure Bobby is all right, taking the Colt the older man shoves into his hand. Off to the side, Ruby, grinning, urges, “You heard the man—GO!”
Father Gil uses his demon powers to force the rocks out of his way, then sends Dean flying violently to the floor. He pounds his fist onto the Devil’s Trap, cracking the concrete, breaking the seal. We watch from above as Casey and Gil wrap their arms around each other and kiss as only lovers do. Dean struggles to rise, points to them and says, “You two?” “For centuries,” says Gil, “we’ve been to hell and back, literally.” He lifts Dean up by his throat with one hand, feet dangling. Casey begs, “Don’t kill him, let’s just go, please.” Sam enters and shoots Gil in the heart, forcing him to release Dean from his grasp. “SAM!” shouts Dean, trying to stop him from killing Casey, but it’s too late, Sam, his face filled with hatred, shoots her, too. She falls beside her lover in the Devil’s Trap, their blood mingling.
Walking across the street, Dean and Bobby wonder if they did any good in this town. Two demons are gone, Bobby reminds him–Trotter is still here, sure, but humans aren’t their concern. If this town wants to go to hell on its own, it’s their business. Dean tells Bobby what the YED said after he’d brought Sam back from the dead—that maybe he didn’t come back 100% Sam. Does Bobby think anything is wrong with his brother? Demons lie, says Bobby, who is sure Sam’s fine. Dean agrees, but uncertainly.
Back in the hotel room, Ruby wants to celebrate Sam’s killing two demons, but all he can think about is that he murdered two humans. She reminds him that when demons piggyback humans, they leave them “rode hard and put away wet,” so chances are, they would have died a slow, sticky death anyway—Sam did them a favor. He calls her a cold bitch. She advises him to show her more respect, especially since she’s saved his ass a few times now and still wants her help with Dean. Sam hasn’t noticed anything different, Dean is STILL going to hell. Everything in its own time, she says. He wants to know why she’s fighting on their team in this war. Go screw yourself, that’s why, she responds. Sam presses the Colt against her breastbone and cocks it. She tells him to go ahead and shoot, but it’s not going to do much for Dean. Sam takes the gun away. “That’s my boy,” she says–“This won’t be easy, Sam, you’re gonna have to do a few things that go against that gentle nature of yours. There’ll be collateral damage, but it has to be done.” “I don’t have to like it,” he says. “You wouldn’t be Sam if you did,” says Ruby, “on the bright side, I’ll be there with you, that little fallen angel on your shoulder.”
1. Now that we know all about Ruby, that last line really means something, doesn’t it?
2. Casey is one of my favorite one-shot characters. She was quite a foil for Dean, and very sexy, too. She had reasonable explanations and answers for him. Let’s face it, humans haven’t done such a great job with this planet or each other all these centuries. Perhaps demons COULD do better!
3. Did you like Ritchie as a character? Did he seem clichéd? I thought him hilarious and so unlikely for a hunter, but it takes all kinds. His death was sad and undeserved.
4. Great performance by both Jensen and Jared, as usual. It gets boring to say this, but Jensen telling Casey he wasn’t scared of hell was so multi-layered. Once again, Jared’s comedy performance in Trotter’s office was a gem. I also liked his interaction with the hooker and the bartender (two other terrific characters, by the way).
5. So now a demon can become a priest? That’s pretty scary! He seemed so nice, kind and pious, too. Loved his little conversation with Jared in the station wagon, and the earlier discussion about knowing Casey since she was in pigtails, and how she and Dean are consenting adults. I wonder if she really slept with other men, given she and Father Gill had somepin somepin going on?
6. What did you think of Casey’s description of humans? Are we not such a lovable bunch after all?
1. One of my favorite Ruby scenes
2. Loved Casey! Not as much as Randal, though ( 😆 sorry, dude, couldn’t resist :lol:-)
3. Ritchie was fun but he did seem a bit like a stock character to me. As for sad and undeserved deaths, chalk another one up on the whiteboard, which is no longer white
4. hear, hear
5. Demons love possessing clergy, seems to be their idea of fun. Azazel in Lucifer Rising was definitely enjoying himself way too much.
6. She does have a point. Loved her example, “Dick Cheney” and how Dean stops and goes, “He one of yours?” I cracked up–classic!
You know, we haven’t had an incubus/succubus episode yet. Maybe S6, b/c you know Sera Gamble’s gotta be dying to do one!
I really like this eppie too. The guest characters were SO good. Really liked Casey and Ritchie, was sad to see them go. A sympathetic demon is a rare thing and R. was adorkable but I saw his death coming, sadly.
Ruby was also really snarktastic in this one, that last scene is really creepy, her words putting real impact to their future dealings… and her end game. *shudders*
And they used CCR which is always *love* for me 🙂
1. I have to second ElenaM and probably why I preferred the style of the first Ruby: snarky needling, throwing a pall of grey area over everything.
2. Oh, Casey. Sigh. Sam, you bastard. 😎
3. I think Ritchie played up being a stock character, that Ritchie the man is probably a tad more complex than Thai silk and fuhgeddaboutit. Of course, even if I’m wrong, a likely prospect, I liked him as another shade of the wacky town shenanigans. To his credit, he did go down like a hunter.
4. I would love this show even if Jensen and Jared were just pretty good, but the fact that they sell complex emotion and that this world is *real* is icing on the cake.
5. If I was a demon, that’s who I’d possess. And she didn’t sleep with me. Sob. Maybe I should have been a priest.
6. She’s not wrong. The small difference is that there are people like Sam and Dean, whereas who does hell have? Life, like rock and roll, is a loser’s game, but hey, go down swingin’.
Hi Robin
1. It kind of gives me the creeps to hear it now.
2. I liked Casey and loved the chemistry between her and Dean.
DEEP BREATHS RANDAL…TAKE DEEP BREATHS.
3. I liked Ritchie, but I knew he was toast the minute I saw him.
Especially with Deans warning that he didn’t belong in the hunting field.
4. Totally agree.
5. As long as a person or place doesn’t have a protective emblem I guess they are open territory. Especially since demons don’t need permission.
6. I think Casey is right to a point. Some humans can be easily persuaded, but there is still a lot of good people out there. I like to believe we’re worth fighting for.
Loved this episode. I loved the beginning where we see Sam & Dean doing normal hunter type activities, i.e., making bullets, doing research, etc. I enjoy it when the show puts in mundane everyday type of activities like that. I especially loved the light-hearted talk right before Dean and Sam leave Bobby. Dean asking Bobby if he can have the gun ready for them in the afternoon and Bobby’s quip back threatening him. I just LOVED that whole scene. If we could just have more light moments like that. We could definitely use some this season.
As to your questions Robin?
1. Yes, Ruby’s comment really has darker meaning to it, now that we know what we know. Everytime I watch that scene with Sam and Ruby, I wish Sam would pull the trigger on Ruby and kill her. What a different world they would be in if he would have done that.
2. I liked Casey. The fact that she liked and respected Dean adds to that, yes. But I enjoyed their repartee while they were trapped in the basement. It would have been interesting to see what she would have done had Sam not killed her.
3. Ritchie was interesting. I liked him, but he didn’t seem like the typical hunter, so he looked prime for being killed.
4. Yes, Jensen and Jared were great in this epi. Especially, Jensen, him telling Casey one thing while his face and eyes betrayed those statements. He was definitely scared and Jensen did so well in trying to hide this fact, but not hide it.
5. Not surprising that a demon could enter a church and become a priest. Normal rules haven’t really applied in the Supernatural world.
6. As for us humans, there are definitely some less than spectacular people out there, but overall, I too think that there are a lot of good people out there trying to do the right thing. So, yes, humanity is worth fighting for.
I too love this episode. The characters were all so well depicted and the actors were great.
1. Ruby was so much more sarcastic and snarky and just so in your face about it. I wish they could have kept Katie for season 4, but then poor Jared would never have found his wife.LOL! 😮 And yes, that last line really resonates now.
2. Casey was gorgeous, intelligent and a fantastic match for Dean to debate with. And Randal, I don’t blame you a bit how you feel about her. She really had somptin somptin going for her. I ended up liking her a great deal, partly because she discovered she liked Dean at the end. Too bad Sam did her in so quickly.
3. Did I like Ritchie? Yeah, I liked the poor schlub. I do believe he was a lot smarter than he appeared and probably used that persona in the past to get the upper hand on whatever monster he was fighting at the time.
4. Jensen and Jared! What can I say? They are amazing actors, and Jared is just so so good at the comedic bits. He was so mortified by his cockup of casing Trotter’s office. So cute and funny! And Jensen, how he can portray by his face the exact opposite of what his mouth is saying is a marvellous talent for an actor to have. I admire them both to no end! And thank the great Kripke for hiring them and giving us nearly 5 years of their amazing characterizations.
5. Holy houses and holy men don’t seem to be obstacles for the stronger demons. Meg was able to kill Pastor Jim inside his own church, and Azazel to inhabit a priest and massacre a bunch of nuns in a convent. I suppose demons have rankings like it seems the angels have.
6. Casey’s description of humans seemed right on for a lot of them. The Dick Cheney thing was hilarious! But then there are lots of good guys still around who don’t fall for all that stuff. But still, a little drink and a little gambling, what can it hurt? Isn’t that what goes these days? Dean’s drinking, eating and lustiness doesn’t negate all the goodness that is in him.